General

The commissioning of the Company by the Client to carry out Pet Sitting, house sitting, Home Boarding or Pet Visiting assignments, whether verbally or in writing constitutes acceptance of these Terms of Business.

Our Agreement

The Company agrees to supply Pet Sitting, house sitting or Home Boarding or Pet Visiting services in accordance with a Brief provided by the Client. Which will primarily include the care of pets and other animals owned by the Client. In consultation with the pet sitter the client may request other services such as the maintenance of house, greenhouse, garden plants and lawns. All within reasonable limits which will be charged per service if the pet sitter agrees.

The Company will continue to provide these services throughout the duration of the Agreement even though the original sitter may fall ill or be unable to continue on assignment for whatever reason.

Payment

The Client agrees to settle the Company’s invoice for such services two weeks prior to the commencement of the assignment. Unless the assignment was booked at short notice; in such cases, the Client agrees to settle the Company’s invoice before the assignment commences.

In respect to long-term or on-going assignments, invoicing of fees can be set up on a monthly basis.

If payment is not received in accordance with these Terms of Business, the Company will not be obliged to honour any previously agreed arrangements.

The Client is responsible for ensuring that neither the house and its environment, nor the work expected of the sitter, present any avoidable or unusual risks recognised by the Health and Safety Executive.

Refunds may be considered for a Client’s early return.

Rules of Employment

All pet sitters are insured to carry out their duties only through the company and all instructions to them must come from or with the approval of the Company Management Personnel.

Sitters may not work for a Client, except through the Company. Infringement of this condition will jeopardise their role as a pet sitter for the Company.

Insurance

Every reasonable measure is taken to ensure the integrity, probity, suitability and competence of the sitters. Appropriate vetting and police checks are carried out and the Company covers its Employees with Public Liability Insurance.

The Company’s insurance cover only operates when the sitter is working on an assignment from the Company and for the duration and times of the selected service.

Where sitters are required to drive a Clients car, responsibility for the provision of appropriate insurance cover rests with the Client.

It is agreed that it is the Clients responsibility to adequately insure the property and its contents and any pets with an insurance company of good repute, and that such insurance shall continue for the duration of this agreement. You must ensure that your household insurer has extended their policy to cover losses incurred whilst there is a house-sitter present. Please note that Happy Hounds & Cooler Cats Ltd will accept no liability for any damage caused by your house or pets.

All locks, security and protective measures are put in operation whenever the property is left unattended or overnight.

Miscellaneous

Where exceptional work or non standard skills and experience are involved e.g. the care of horses, farm animals, aviaries, large gardens, green houses, indoor plant collections, and swimming pools etc, charges will be made according to the level of skill required. Approximate guides will be provided by telephone and detailed quotations. All extra work must be approved by the pet sitter.

No payments are made directly to the pet sitter.

In place of leaving supplies of food for the sitter, an impractical option, a daily subsistence allowance is paid directly to the sitter from your payment to Happy Hounds & Cooler Cats Ltd.

A reservation, whether written or verbal, constitutes a binding agreement, and as such, all cancellations incur a £25 fee. This fee will be fully refunded on any future booking. This fee covers all administration costs.

A sitter may wish to have the companionship of their partner / spouse during an assignment. This incurs the Client no additional expense. The companion / spouse will have passed the Company’s vetting programme and is also fully covered by the Company’s insurance.